MBA in California,USA for Indian Students - Universities, Colleges, Fees 2026, Deadlines

Factors	Particulars
Total number of colleges in California, United States	70+ universities
Cost in California, United States	Tuition Fees- INR 23 L - INR 1 Cr (average for the first year)
Top Specializations	Finance, Business Analytics, Business Economics, Healthcare, Public Policy, Entrepreneurship, International Business
Exams Accepted	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, GMAT, GRE

Top Universities in California 

California, United States has a range of top ranked universities that Indian students can choose from. Some of the top universities in California are given as follows-

University Name	Quacquarelli Symonds World Ranking 2026
Stanford University	#3
University of California - Berkeley Campus	#17
University of California - Los Angeles	#46
University of California - San Diego Campus	#66
University of California, Davis	#114
University of Southern California	#146
University of California, Santa Barbara	#179
University of California - Irvine Campus	#293
University of California - Riverside Campus	#440

Top 10 MBA Specialisations in California

Indian students can choose from a range of course specialisations that are offered in California, USA. Some of the most popular specialisations offered are given as follows-

• Finance 
• Business Analytics 
• Business Economics 
• Healthcare 
• Public Policy 
• Entrepreneurship 
• International Business 
• Operations 
• Sales and Marketing 
• Human Resources 

MBA Admission Requirements in California

To be accepted for MBA admissions in California, USA, Indian students are required to submit a range of documents including academic records, test scores and specific course requirements too. Some of the admission requirements for MBA courses in California are given as follows-

• Accredited Bachelors Degree 
• GMAT or GRE scores 
• Proof of English Language Proficiency 
• Required Work Experience 

Entrance Exams Accepted by MBA Universities in California

Indian students are required to submit standardised or English Language scores to be considered for MBA admissions. Some of the entrance exams accepted in California for MBA courses are given as follows-

• IELTS 
• TOEFL 
• Duolingo
• PTE
• GRE 
• GMAT

Documents Required 

The documents required for MBA courses in California for Indian students are given as follows-

• Bachelors Degree 
• English Language Requirements 
• GRE or GMAT scores 
• Official Transcripts 
• Professional Experience 
• Letters of Recommendation 
• Resume or CV 

Cost of studying MBA in California 

The tuition costs for studying MBA courses in top universities of California are given as follows-

University Name	MBA First-Year Tuition Fees
Stanford University	INR 36 Lakhs - 1 Cr
University of California - Berkeley Campus	INR 23 Lakhs - INR 75 Lakhs
University of California - Los Angeles	INR 23 Lakhs - INR 64 Lakhs
University of California - San Diego Campus	INR 30 Lakhs - INR 69 Lakhs
University of California, Davis	INR 25 Lakhs - INR 55 Lakhs
University of Southern California	INR 33 Lakhs - INR 1 Crores
University of California, Santa Barbara	INR 27 Lakhs - INR 61 Lakhs
University of California - Irvine Campus	INR 30 Lakhs - INR 66 Lakhs
University of California - Riverside Campus	INR 50 Lakhs - INR 65 Lakhs

Cost of Living in USA

The table given below specifies the estimated student cost of living in the USA that is based on different expenses.

Expenses in USA	Average Yearly / Monthly cost
Books and study material	USD 900 - USD 2,000 per year
Travel	USD 300 - USD 700 per year
Accommodation	USD 9,800 - USD 11,100 per year
Electricity	USD 100 - USD 150 per month
Food	On campus- USD 250 per month Off-campus- USD 400 - USD 600 per month
Phone subscription	USD 50 per month
Home Internet	USD 45 - USD 50 per month
Health Insurance	USD 700 - USD 1,100 per year
Clothes	USD 500 per year
Water, Trash and Sewer	USD 50 - USD 75 per month

Note- These amounts will differ from state to state within the US. On average, the cost of Indian food in the USA is around USD 350 - USD 400 for one person. 

Student Visa Fee in the USA

There are two fees associated with an F1 student visa for the USA

1. The SEVIS fee is currently USD 350 and US student visa fees in Indian rupees are approximately INR 30,242.
2. The Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee), currently USD 185, is equivalent to INR 15,985.

Here is the breakdown of different types of Student Visas in the USA and their corresponding fees-

Fee Parameters	F1 Student Visa in USA	J1 Student Visa in USA	M1 Student Visa in USA
SEVI Fee Amount	USD 350	USD 220	USD 350
SEVIS Fee Payment	Through Credit Card, Money Order/ Demand Draft
MRV Fee Amount	USD 185	USD 185	USD 185
Accepted Modes of Payment	NEFT Online Transfer, Instant Money Transfer by Mobile - IMPS or By Cash at counters of Axis Bank/ Citibank

*Spouses and dependents do not need to pay the SEVIS fee if they go to the U.S. on F-2 or J-2 visas.

Post Study Work Visa in USA 

Post Study Work in USA is one of the most important aspects for students pursuing higher studies in the USA. F1 Visa, M1 Visa and J1 Visa are three types of student visas in USA that allow students to stay and study in the US for a limited period after completing their studies. As an F1 student visa holder, Indian students can complete up to a year of temporary employment directly related to their major field. After completing their studies, F1 visa holders can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

MBA Scholarships in USA 

From Ivy League universities to other top-ranking MBA schools in USA, majority of them have something to offer to Indian applicants. Here is a list of top B-schools in USA where Indian applicants can get an MBA-based scholarship. Check out the details below- 

• Fulbright Program for Non-US Students (Wharton School of Business)
• The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (Wharton School of Business)
• Emerging Economy Fellowships (Wharton School of Business)
• Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellowship (Tuck School of Business) (Dartmouth College)
• Columbia Business School Board Fellowships (Columbia Business School)
• Columbia Business School Board China & India Fellowships (Columbia Business School)